Housing Min. Calls for More Homes in Judea & Samaria

Housing Minister Uri Ariel came out against the unconfirmed reports that the United States State Department wants Israel to impose another housing freeze. In an interview with Arutz Sheva news on Wednesday, Minister Ariel said he was not aware of any plan to ask for a freeze and could not confirm the rumors although he added, "anything is possible." He noted that housing starts are up for the ever-growing and in-demand regions of Judea and Samaria and called for even more housing units. He lamented the Disengagement from Gush Katif in 2005 and warned that a housing freeze or forced eviction would be detrimental for Israeli society.